Upper Limb Anatomy

Upper Limb Anatomical Areas

• The upper limb has 5 key anatomical areas: axilla, cubital fossa, extensor tendon compartments, carpal tunnel, and anatomical snuffbox.

Axilla

• Pyramidal shaped area that provides passage for neurovascular structures to enter and leave the upper limb.
• Located just beneath the glenohumeral joint, at the junction of the upper limb and thorax.
• Structures passing through the axilla include the brachial plexus and axillary vein.

Cubital Fossa

• Triangular shaped area located as a depression on the anterior surface of the elbow joint.
• Contains the radial and median nerves, as well as the biceps tendon and brachial artery.

Carpal Tunnel

• Area in the anterior wrist that provides passage for the tendons of the flexor digitorum and flexor pollicis longus muscles.
• Also allows passage of the median nerve.
• Floor formed by the deep carpal arch and roof formed by the superficial flexor retinaculum.

Anatomical Snuffbox

• Triangular depression located on the lateral aspect of the back of the hand.
• Contains the radial artery, cephalic vein, and a branch of the radial nerve.

Extensor Tendon Compartments

• Series of 6 tunnels located on the posterior aspect of the wrist.
• Allow passage of the long extensor tendons of the forearm through the wrist into the hand.
• Lined by synovium and separated from one another by a fibrous septum.